Private MRI

[CatonMat]

Has anyone found these to be worthwhile?
I have multiple, multiple problems and whilst I'm as poor as a church mouse, am considering if it might be worth my while having one done, on say, my abdomen.
Waiting on the nhs is so long, and my gp isn't particularly helpful, but I am finding it harder and harder to get through each day.

Waste of time and money, or a good way of ruling out some conditions, please?

Anyone at all?
Help?
Please?

Depends what the problem is doesn’t it? Has someone actually suggested you need an abdo MRI? It’s not usually the first line imaging modality for the abdomen. There’s also the risk of finding things that aren’t actually pathological that then cause more worry and possibly more interventions when imaging is done in an untargeted/unfocussed way (affectionately known as incidentaloma’s). If you really want to spend money on the problem would an appointment with a specialist who deals with whatever problem you have be a better idea?

I've had a private MRI but I was already on an NHS waiting list and I knew it was needed to look for something very specific.
I agree with the PP that seeing a specialist privately would be better use of your money. If you need investigations then it's best to have someone with expertise guide you as to what the best kind of imaging is for your particular problem. MRI shows some things best, but other times it mught be a CT, ultrasound or some other kind of test that us best suited.
I hope you get the answers you need soon.

Yes, both of those answers make sense, thanks.

I don't want a case of incidentalomas!

That helps put things in perspective a bit more.

They won't just book you for an MRI without a consultation and reason for doing one. Even when I'd seen the private consultant and he told me to book an MRI they wouldn't book me an appointment until the referral from him had gone through their system.

That depends on the company actually emma
The one I used accepted self referrals. They did ask questions and I assume if someone couldn't give a justification which their radiology doctors accepted then they would refuse, but I didn't need to provide anything at all from my own doctors. And that was a reputable national company.
Either way, the OP seems to, very sensibly, be going off the idea.

You have to be quite specific eg if you have scapula pain but tell them it’s your shoulder, then you won’t have the correct area scanned.

@emmathedilemma there are companies that accept self referral, MRI is a bit more relaxed then a ct scan or X-ray as there is no radiation involved.

Do you know if you'd need a gastro, gynae or other specialist consultant? I had a private MRI but knew I needed a spinal consultant to interpret it so spoke with the secretary of the relevant consultant at the private hospital first. Therefore you don't pay for an initial appointment, then pay for the MRI, then pay for the consultant to interpret it and see you again.

My issue was very specific though, not sure a general abdominal MRI would help much unless you have a consultant to interpret it.

You need a gp referral....you can't just book one yourself

@kitcat15 you don’t need a gp referral for some private companies , you can self refer.

A report is always done by a consultant radiologist, which is sent to whichever medical practitioner you nominate.

I went private for an MRI because my GP is utterly useless. Best money I've ever spent because it led to major surgery which stopped me from becoming disabled. I had a consultation first and the consultant and I both knew what we were looking for.

I think you should see a private physician (or surgeon depending on what you think is wrong) and have a consultation. There is no pint spending £££ on the wrong test. Maybe you need a scope or a certain blood test.

Unfocused ‘screening’ is rarely useful and can be troublesome with incidental findings.

Oh thank you.
I've only just seen these further replies.

It does seem that it would be a bit of an expensive shot in the dark for me.

I'll keep in mind the idea of a private consultation, though.

Can I ask where you got your scan done? I need to book one privately.
thank you